Head-scratching grade school math sum divides people... can you remember the golden rule to get right answer

By ALYSSA GUZMAN, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 15:35, 3 May 2026 | Updated: 15:35, 3 May 2026 A grade-school math problem has left people perplexed, can you solve the simple-looking equation in just 30 seconds?  The sum, posted to X by BreakTheSilos, that regularly shares brainteasers, is: 12 - 6 ÷ 3 x 2 = ? Although the equation isn't very long, many have found themselves stumped.  In order to achieve the correct answer, one has to remember grade-school math, specifically a certain acronym.  It's the rule of PEMDAS – or BODMAS in the UK – which makes you break down each section of the equation.  It stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, and Subtraction.  Or in the case of BODMAS it's Brackets, Orders (powers/roots), Division, Multiplication, Addition, and Subtraction. A grade-school math problem is causing people to scratch their heads, can you solve it? It reads a follows: 12 - 6 ÷ 3 x 2 = ? Start with multiplication and division. Take 6 and divide it 3, equaling 2.  Then you times the 2 by 2, equaling 4.  And the final answer should get you to 8.  Following the rules of PEMDAS – or BODMAS in the UK – you should receive the answer of 8 If yes, congratulations! Your arithmetic skills are still intact, and your middle school math teachers would be proud. If you did not get the correct answer, don't worry. Many social media users also failed the test. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.